Canadian rapper Drake has taken his feud with rival Kendrick Lamar to the US court system, accusing record label Universal Music of conspiring to inflate the California hip-hop star’s streaming numbers and of defaming him, according to legal filings and media reports on Tuesday.

Escalating war
Drake, the highest-grossing rapper in the world last year, and Lamar, a Pulitzer Prize winner, have long been locked in an escalating war of words in a music genre known for celebrating and obsessing over rivalries between its biggest stars.

 

 

 

 
The so-called “beef” ramped up sharply this year as each man released vitriolic “diss tracks” criticising the other.

Lamar’s “Not Like Us,” which accused Drake of having relationships with underage girls, enjoyed huge commercial and critical acclaim, exceeding 900 million plays on streaming platform Spotify and earning multiple Grammy nominations, including song of the year.

But in the first of two court filings this week, Drake on Monday accused Universal Music Group (UMG), which distributed the song, of charging Spotify unusually low prices to license the track, in return for the streamer widely recommending the track to its subscribers.

According to a court document filed in New York, Drake also accused UMG of using automated computer “bots” to artificially inflate the supposed number of times the song has been streamed on Spotify.

In a second petition Tuesday, filed in Texas and first reported by music site Billboard, Drake claimed UMG was aware that the song contained “offending material,” but distributed it anyway, without insisting on any changes or edits to its lyrics.

“UMG designed, financed and then executed a plan to turn ‘Not Like Us’ into a viral mega-hit with the intent of using the spectacle of harm to Drake and his businesses to drive consumer hysteria and, of course, massive revenues,” the petition said.

is a Pulitzer Prize winner
Rapper Kendrick Lamar is a Pulitzer Prize winner © Yuki IWAMURA / AFP/File
Neither of this week’s legal actions are lawsuits, nor are they formal allegations of fraud or defamation.

But evidence collected from both petitions could be used for a lawsuit at a later stage.

“The suggestion that UMG would do anything to undermine any of its artists is offensive and untrue,” a spokesperson for UMG said in an e-mailed statement.

“We employ the highest ethical practices in our marketing and promotional campaigns. No amount of contrived and absurd legal arguments in this pre-action submission can mask the fact that fans choose the music they want to hear.”

Drake’s legal moves come just days after Lamar surprised fans on Friday with the unannounced release of a new album, “GNX.”

In February, he will headline the Super Bowl half-time show – a coveted showcase that takes place in the middle of the NFL season finale, which is routinely watched by around a third of Americans.

Are you Team Drake or Team Kendrick Lamar?

Siya Kolisi has praised his soon-to-be ex-wife, Rachel Kolisi for staying loyal to him in a clip of an old interview that has recently resurfaced.

The Springboks captain – who has previously confessed to wild partying, heaving drinking, and visiting strip clubs – announced the end of his marriage a month ago.

The former couple share two children and are also legal guardians to Siya’s two younger siblings.

 

 

 

 

SIYA KOLISI THANKS RACHEL FOR SUPPORT
In a special SuperSport feature released last year, Siya Kolisi was interviewed by media personality Siv Ngesi. In the throwback clip, which is circulating on social media again, the Springbok captain thanks his wife for her support.

When Siv said that Rachel did not get the credit she deserved, Siya added: “Without her, none of the things I’ve done would have happened.

“I longed for a family, and she got pregnant. Before Nic [his son] was born, we found my brother and sister. While she was pregnant, she took in two other children who couldnt speak a word of English.

He continued: “I was not in a good place; I was wilding. I was living like I had no family. She stayed with me. She always saw the person that I could become, and she believed it”.

Siya – who has affectionately referred to Rachel as “Mariri” – added: “When someone loves you at your worst, you know that is you person. She has seen me at my worst”.

‘OUT WITH THE BOYS’
Siya Kolisi’s comments in the interview came just a few months after the release of his autobiography Rise. In it, he wrote about the side of him that nobody knew – his heavy drinking, frequenting strip clubs, and reckless spending.

Much of it came before and after his 2016 marriage to Rachel. In 2015, just months after Rachel had given birth to their first child, Nicholas, Siya flew to England to play in the World Cup.

He was not a regular fixture in the squad and claimed he used his time off to drink himself into oblivion.

rachel siya kolisi foundation, springboks
Rachel and Siya Kolisi in happier times.
Image via Instagram:
@kolisifoundation
He wrote in the book: “Rachel [my wife] had come out with baby Nick, and this would have been the perfect opportunity to spend some time with them; but no, I preferred to be out with the boys.

“It was an awful time for her, and I was too selfish to realise. In the end, Rachel got fed up with me being a jerk and flew home a week early.”

“Rachel had had enough. If it had been an isolated incident, that would have been one thing, but it wasn’t.”

Siya Kolisi also alluded to cheating on Rachel when his Christian mentor Ben Schoeman told him: “Siya, you drink a lot, you fool around with women, you go to strip clubs. You post on social media about your faith in Christ, but you’re lying to yourself and everyone else.”

MOTHER FIGURE TO SIYA’S SIBLINGS
Meanwhile, Siya Kolisi’s siblings, Liyema and Liphelo, have maintained a strong relationship with Rachel despite the news of the divorce.

And many believe the brother and sister regard Rachel as a mother figure after their own mother died at a young age.

In many Instagram clips, Rachel refers to Liphelo as her “teenager” while she spends quality time with Liyem

Springbok and Stormers star Damian Willemse has shared that he is currently single and opened up about what he feels he does wrong when in a relationship.

DAMIAN OPENS UP ABOUT HIS LOVE LIFE
The rugby player recently had a sit-down interview on the Expresso Morning Show, where he got candid about his career and love life.

 

 

 
He revealed that he is currently single when asked by the show’s host, Zanele Potelwa.

“I am single. I have been trying to see someone, but we haven’t gotten past the stage of just getting to know each other,” he said.

When asked what he thinks he’s doing wrong, he said:

“I just think I need to be home more. I don’t think traveling a lot is working out.”

DAMIAN ON RESPECTING PRIVACY
The 26-year old also went on to speak about how he feels when people ask him personal questions, especially fans.

“For me, I like it when I meet my fans and they ask me how I’m doing. In most instances, fans get star-struck, but they also need to respect our time. For example, if I’m with family or out for dinner, I love and enjoy connecting with them and taking a selfie.”

The rugby player continues to win the hearts of many women with his charming looks and demeanour. Earlier this year, the heartthrob was rumoured to be in a relationship with Zoe Doyle.

Although they had never confirmed their split, they would drop hints on social media suggesting they were romantically involved.

Many often wonder whether Damian is single or if they are still together, as per the rumours — but he has finally hottest question on everyone’s lips.

ARE YOU A FAN OF DAMIAN?

ontroversial music executive Nhlamulo ‘Nota’ Baloyi has been released after two weeks of his 60-day sentence. He was released from Johannesburg Prison, also known as Sun City, on 25 November.

 
The news has since thrust him into top trends, and the muso has confirmed the news with an X post.

NOTA BALOYI RELEASED FROM PRISON
However, against the news of his release, the media has disclosed that Nota Baloyi is in house detention with high-risk supervision until January 2025.

Earlier this month, Nota Baloyi was nabbed at the Randburg Magistrate’s Court during a court sitting of his alleged rape case.

Surprisingly, he was nabbed for a different court case. He was found guilty of contempt of court and imprisoned for a different case involving K.O.

In 2023, AKA was gunned down on 10 February 2023. Against the news of his death, Nota Baloyi was one of the celebrities who shared their two cents as he tried to connect the dots about the hit.

Nota Baloyi alleged that K.O. colluded with assailants who shot and killed AKA outside the Wish Restaurant.

Against the damning claims, K.O. asked the muso to hold off on disclosing information that would link him to the murder of AKA.

Nota Baloyi seemingly disregarded the court order obtained by K.O., leading to his arrest.

NHLAMULO DENIES RAPE ALLEGATIONS CLAIM ‘IT WAS CONSENSUAL’
In October, he hogged headlines after he had turned himself in after he was accused of rape by Itumeleng Bokaba.

Taking to X, he posted, “Handing myself in at Randburg Police station & hoping for the best… Please keep me in your prayers. This is officially the worst day of my life so far!”

On 30 September, social media was abuzz after the TV star and singer accused music executive Nota Baloyi of rape.

According to reports, the actress opened a case of rape against the controversial music executive and content creator at Douglasdale police station.

Rumour has it that the incident happened at Nota’s place on 4 September earlier this month. However, contrary to the reports, Nota Baloyi has addressed the news in several interviews.

He admitted sharing the bed with the actress but made it known that it was consensual.

Miss Universe runner-up Chidimma Adetshina revealed that she was quitting pageantry to focus on her education.

CHIDIMMA ADETSHINA QUITS PAGEANTARY
Victoria Kjær Theilvig, who represented Denmark, was crowned Miss Universe 2024 on 17 November in Mexico, Mexico City. The beauty queen made history as this was the first time Denmark took home the Miss Universe title.

Miss Nigeria Chidimma Adetshina, who was a Miss SA finalist, was crowned the runner-up. However, she has since revealed that she has decided to step away from the pageants to focus on her education.

 
“I am putting pageant to bed. I’m going to focus more on my education and establishing who Chidimma is. More into runways. So many things I would like to touch on and see where my potential can go to,” she said in an interview with BBC Pidgin.

“I’m glad it’s all done so I can focus on myself and my mental health. I think that’s important for me,” she continued.

CHIDIMMA ADETSHINA: ‘THIS JOURNEY HAS BEEN SO HARD
The Miss Universe runner-up said that her journey in pageantry has been so hard. She went on to say that she wants to open up about her experience, but does not want to offend people.

“This journey has been so hard, and I don’t think a lot of people understood what I went through. Most times I try to open up about it, but I try not to say much to offend people so I tried to cover it up. Getting to that stage I was so proud, knowing I had such a tremendous amount of support, not only from Nigeria but from Africa,” she said.

“It was an overwhelming experience. Never once did I think I would receive so much support, and it was refreshing to feel so loved and accepted,” she continued.

Chidimma was believed to have lived in Soweto, Gauteng. However, there were doubts that the model actually lives in Soweto, as the identity theft controversy came into light. Here’s five things to know about the beauty queen here.

Content creator Molebogeng Mmakola had her followers reaching for tissues after sharing a heartfelt video of herself with media personality Bonang Matheba.

MOLEBOGENG FINALLY MEETS HER IDOL
There’s no doubt that Bonang is one of South Africa’s favourite celebrities and she continues to inspire and win the hearts of many people.

 

 

 
Her fanbase, known as the “B Force,” loves her wholeheartedly and being in her presence is a huge honour for many.

The content creator recently met Queen B at the L’Oréal Paris Dinner party in Franschhoek, Western Cape, on Thursday night, and she was starstruck. Lebo burst into tears in disbelief during her interaction with Queen B.

‘I DIDN’T EXPECT TO CRY’
She shared a video of their interaction on TikTok and captioned it, “I didn’t expect to cry honestly, I just wanted a cute video with B. Y’all know how much this means to me.”

In the video, Bonang can be seen wiping her tears and fixing her makeup after the emotional moment.Many TikTok users found the video heartwarming and praised Queen B for comforting the fan and helping her compose herself.

Check out what they had to say about the video.

@AmandaShibe commented, “I bunked school in grade 9, to see her at the Live auditions in DBN Bat Centre. I don’t regret missing that test.”

@RemogoditsweTladi shared, “Oooh I’d weep so hard not only because it’s Bonang Matheba but because she taught me a lot about SELF CONFIDENCE.”

@Vee_dash commented, “Goosebumps. I love Bonang’s class. She works hard for her bag, a true inspiration.”

@Fikilesteenkamp26 commented, “She’s a queen fixing another queen’s crown.”

Honestly, it would be a crime – deserving of a life sentence I believe – to not point out some nuggets of wisdom Mia le Roux has given and taught over the time she came into the limelight.

South Africa got a chance in 2024 to get front row seats to learn from the life of a beautiful soul in the form of Mia le Roux. It’s like a destiny encounter that defines the trajectory of the next ten years or the rest of your life. This lovely lady warmed the hearts of many un various ways, but here are five unforgettable things she taught us that make her a true inspiration.

 

 

 

 
THE ONLY THING THAT CAN STOP YOU IN LIFE IS YOU
Mia le Roux was born deaf, and hears partially through the use of cochlear implants. However, the stunning beauty defied all odds and eventually made history by becoming the first differently abled individual to wear the crown of Miss SA on 10 August 2024, inspiring both the young and old. Being born deaf was a hurdle she didn’t allow to stop her from soaring – with even the sky not being the limit for her.

Another inspiring fact about Le Roux is that she is very passionate about education. She holds numerous qualifications, including an exercise specialist diploma from Eta College and a certificate in nutrition from the Sport Science Institute of South Africa. Also, she was studying at UNISA part time doing a Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing and working as a marketing manager when she became Miss SA.EMBRACE AND CELEBRATE WHO YOU ARE
Mia Le Roux is a true gem – and I added the word true because being fake has become so common these days. But one can see how valuable and precious she is from the value she has added and impact she has made – and still making – in the lives of those around her.

We live in a world where many desire to be others instead of themselves. There are different mirrors that the world wants people to look at themselves through that are not a true depiction of each individual. The operative word here being, individual. Looking at life through the right lens helps you become who you truly are instead of a copy or counterfeit.

Le Roux exudes confidence and believes in herself. In fact, I doubt she would have won the title of Miss SA if she didn’t. If you don’t believe in yourself, no one will. It all starts with you. Bruce Lee said: “Always be yourself – express yourself, have faith in yourself. Do not go out and look for a successful personality and duplicate it.Mia le Roux also went on to teach many the importance of self-care in a world where most sacrifice it for things that are worth far less than their own lives. When she made the choice to withdraw from Miss Universe due to health concerns, she chose life instead of forcing herself to remain in a situation that would cause her more harm than good. It was amazing to see the huge support she received from fellow beauty pageant contestants, judges and South Africa as a whole.

And most importantly, she was praised by her own community as the organisation advocating for disability rights and inclusion, Disabled People South Africa (DPSA), expressed support for her decision and commended her for “putting her wellbeing above all else.”

COURAGE, COURAGE, COURAGE
It took courage to decide to be part of such a huge pageant. In her profile on the Miss SA website, Le Roux revealed that a woman who wants to make a difference should be resilient, courageous, have perseverance and be kind without forgetting her roots. The 29-year-old also mentioned that her parents taught her resilience, and with such great beliefs instilled in her, it’s no wonder she has taken over the world.

Also, Le Roux opening up about her health struggles is courageous in itself. It takes courage to be vulnerable. This is one lesson our society especially needs to learn to help fight the mental health crisis plaguing us. Admitting you need help or are struggling shows strength not weakness, so we should take Le Roux’s example

The parents of ex-Miss SA Chidimma Adetshina have come under fire for their alleged involvement in the fraudulent registration of her birth.

According to an investigation by the Department of Home Affairs (DHA), the woman’s Nigerian father and Mozambican mother are believed to have engaged in unlawful activity back in 2001. It remains unclear if they were permanent resident holders or illegal foreigners.

 

 

 
Earlier this month, Chidimma dropped out of the local pageant due to concerns for her “safety and well-being.” She has since accepted an invitation to participate in the Miss Universe Nigeria pageant.

CHIDIMMA’S PARENTS: WHO ARE HER MOTHER AND FATHER?
In her submission to the Miss SA pageant last month, Chidimma Adetshina stated that her mother was South African with Mozambican roots.

She claimed that her mother had been born in South Africa, as had she, making her a South African by descent.

Speaking to the Sowetan, Chidimma claims her parents met in Johannesburg in the late ’90s and chose to settle in Pimville at her maternal grandmother’s home.

She added: “My dad is a proud Nigerian, and my mother was born and raised in SA but has roots in Mozambique. My mom’s family still lives in Soweto, and I visit them from time to time.”WHAT HAPPENS IF THEY ARE FOUND GUILTY OF FRAUD?
According to an investigation by the DHA, they are pursuing legal advice in the investigation against Chidimma’s parents. This involves the assistance of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks).

The DHA has revealed that it has since issued Chidimma’s parents with a Promotion of Administrative Justice Act letter.

The investigation into verifying both Chidimma’s parents’ citizenship status continues. If their permanent residency or citizenship is deemed fraudulent, then this may render them illegal foreign nationals.

DO YOU THINK CHIDIMMA’S PARENTS ARE GUILTY OF FRAUD, IDENTITY THEFT, AND WHY?

According to unverified reports, her father is a businessman named Michael Adetshina from Nigeria.

Miss Universe Nigeria boss Guy Murray-Bruce claimed in a recent interview that Chidimma’s father hails from the Enugu state in the country. He also claims that she has family in Lagos and that she visited the country as a young child.

Although Chidimma’s mother’s identity is unknown, she has shared pictures of her on her Instagram Stories.

A heartwarming video of DJ Maphorisa showing his daughter the ropes behind the turntable has captured the hearts of many.

DJ MAPHORISA TEACHES HIS DAUGHTER HOW TO DJ
The renowned DJ has been in the entertainment industry for over two decades and has built a remarkable career. It seems he now hopes to pass on his skills to his daughter.

It is without a doubt that having a father like him comes with many perks, especially if you’re interested in the entertainment industry. The DJ has the expertise to build a sustainable career and we love to see it.

In an adorable clip, shared by X user @mulada012, the duo is seen sitting together as the celebrated DJ teaches Lesedi the art of deejaying.The clip has inspired many social media users who have praised the DJ for mentoring his daughter about how to rock the turntable.

 

 

 

 

HOW DJ MAPHORISA CELEBRATED HIS 37TH BIRTHDAY
The DJ recently celebrated his 37th birthday in grand style. The star-studded birthday celebration was held on 14 November in Sandton.

The exclusive “All Black” themed celebration featured attendees such as Black Coffee, Kabza De Small, DJ Zinhle, Oskido, Major League DJz, and other prominent figures from the entertainment world.

DJ Maphorisa has built an impressive career over the years. He has become one of South Africa’s most renowned producers and a well-known figure in the entertainment industry.

Having worked with some of the biggest stars in music, he has cemented his status as a powerful figure in the industry.

Bridget Mangwandi, who won the fifth season of MasterChef South Africa, revealed her plans for the R1 million prize money, ahead of the finale, in an exclusive interview with The South African.

BRIDGET MANGWANDI TALKS ‘MASTERCHEF SA’ SEASON FIVE
20-year-old Bridget Mangwandi made history as the youngest person to win MasterChef South Africa in the franchise’s history in the season finale on Saturday 23 November. She was also the first black female MasterChef. In the ultimate head-to-head round, Bridget beat another outstanding young chef, Nabila Shamshum (23), a school secretary from Johannesburg, after Durban-born Chanel Brink (34), was named the second runner-up.

 

Although Nabila, who tasted victory in the quarter and semi-finals, also served the best dish in the round that saw Chanel’s elimination, Bridget soared to the top when receiving moral support from her biggest fan, her mother.

Bridget expressed that her big win is not just for her, but also for every black girl who dreams of the extraordinary.

“This win is a victory not only for me but for every young black girl who dreams of extraordinary feats. I hope this inspires the next generation to believe the world is their oyster, as I always tell myself,” she said in a statement.BRIDGET MANGWANDI REVEALS PLANS FOR PRIZE MONEY
Just two days ahead of the finale, which took place on Saturday 23 November, Bridget told The South African her plans for the R1 million prize money if she won. She explained that she would invest the money and she plans on developing her own food product line.

“First thing I’d do with that one million is investing it and then developing my own food product line and then eventually putting the capital back into it. I want to make products that make cooking easy and beautiful and stay true to African and Carribean cuisines,” she said exclusively to The South African.